Mesa has installed new public art along its canal shared-use paths, featuring the winning designs from the 2025 Bike to Books contest. The project aims to celebrate reading, community, and exercise by displaying youth artwork in public spaces.
The winning artists—Ellie Richardson, Valentina Mercado Villalobos, and KysaRaye Hamann—had their designs placed on the Stadium Connector Shared Use Path just north of Cinemark Theatre at Mesa Riverview. The city’s Transportation Department striping crew used propane torches to apply thermal plastic versions of the artwork onto the pathway.
This year’s contest received fifty submissions from young artists across three age groups: pre-kindergarten to second grade, third to sixth grade, and seventh to twelfth grade. Winners were awarded a prize package that included a backpack with gear from Mesa Public Library and the MesaMoves Program operated by Mesa Transportation. All finalists received certificates signed by City officials.
Residents are encouraged to visit the path to view the artwork and explore custom reading lists inspired by each design, created by Mesa Public Library. More information about the winning designs is available at https://mesalibrary.org/biketobooks.
“Colorful” by Ellie Richardson was selected for pre-kindergarten through second grade; “Day or Night It’s Always Fun” by Valentina Mercado Villalobos won in the third through sixth grade category; and “Moving Garden of Books” by KysaRaye Hamann was chosen for seventh through twelfth graders.
